April 25, 2003

LEWISBURG, Pa. - A four-game series versus third-place Lafayette and the dedication of Bucknell's baseball field in honor of Gene Depew sets the first place Bison up for an exciting weekend, April 26-27. The Bison, only one game above second place Navy, are in need of one win to secure a Patriot League Tournament berth, and they have a magic number of three to clinch the regular season title and the number one seed.

The dedication of the Eugene B. Depew Baseball Field will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

A 1971 Bucknell graduate, Depew is in his 22nd season as the Bison's head coach and is just the team's fourth baseball coach since World War II. He has directed his teams to 386 victories, the most by any coach in school history. Depew has twice been recognized for his efforts by his peers, receiving Patriot League Coach of the Year honors in 1992 and again in 1996. He guided Bucknell to Patriot League championships in 1996 and 2001.

After participating for four years with the football squad and one season as a co-captain, Depew served as an assistant football coach from 1972 to 1992 for the Bison. When Depew began his head coaching career in 1982 with the baseball team, he inherited a team that was 6-20 the year before and 3-17 in 1980. Over 21 seasons later the Bison are now recognized as a perennial contender for the Patriot League crown.

The Bison enter this weekend with a 21-12 overall record and are in first place in the Patriot League with an 11-5 mark. Bucknell is scheduled to host Lafayette (12-16, PL 7-8) for a four-game series on April 26-27. On Saturday, the doubleheader is scheduled for a noon start. On Sunday, the opener is slated for a 12:30 p.m. start, following the Depew Field dedication ceremonies.